Applying for a resource consent

Before carrying out earthworks you need to check:

1. The District Plan Chapter 12, Section 3 ‘Soil and Minerals’ which states the permitted standards for earthworks under the Resource Management Act. If the permitted standards cannot be met, resource consent is required. If resource consent is not required, check the Earthworks bylaw.
2. The Earthworks Bylaw Chapter 22 of Council Bylaws which states the requirements under the Local Government Act. If resource consent is required, then an earthworks permit will not be required.

Contact the duty planner for more information.

A pre-application or concept development meeting is an opportunity for you to discuss your proposed project with Council staff. Pre-application meetings are available for projects requiring building consents and/or resource consents. A building consent establishes that your planned building work complies with Building Act 2004 and the building code. A resource consent is a consent granted under the Resource Management Act 1991 for activities that are not permitted activities. You may need one or both types of consents for your proposal.

A concept development meeting can be especially helpful at design stage for:

• Large scale or complex subdivisions
• Change of use (e.g. residential home into a shop)
• Commercial (including commercial activities adjoining living zones)

You may also consider applying for a project information memorandum (PIM) to obtain Council records relevant to your proposal.

Actual and reasonable costs for the meeting will be calculated based on the charge rate associated with the staff member(s) required to attend and for any research required prior to the meeting.

Download a pre-application meeting request form from Resource consent forms

Preparing your application

What should my application include?

The information requirements for resource consent applications are set out in Schedule 4 of the Resource Management Act. In summary, a complete resource consent application must include:

• a completed and signed application form
• a current copy of the Certificate of Title (or we can obtain one for you)
• plans and other details of the site and proposal
• a list of the ways in which the proposal does not comply with the District Plan
• an Assessment of Effects on the Environment
• other supporting documents relevant to your particular proposal, for example, written approval from affected neighbours
• an assessment of how your proposal fits with the objectives and policies in the District Plan and the purpose of the Resource Management Act (note: this is usually not needed for straightforward applications)

• the required fee/deposit (payable after an invoice has been issued).

Subdivision

Subdivision consent applications must also include a plan showing:

• the position of all new boundaries and the areas of allotments
• existing and new reserves and access strips
• areas to be set aside as new roads
• areas of land within rivers, lakes and the coastal marine area

The amount of information that needs to be provided depends on the complexity of the application. It must be sufficient for the Council to understand the effects of the proposal.

For complex proposals and subdivisions we recommend using an experienced planning professional. Some proposals may also require input from other professionals such as an engineer, landscape architect, or ecologist. They can help you make informed decisions about your proposal and prepare a comprehensive consent application.

While the RMA does not require applicants to consult with anyone, it’s a good idea to consult those who you and/or the council think could be affected by your proposal. It’s best to have these discussions while you’re still developing your proposal. Depending on the type of proposal neighbours, tangata whenua and agencies such as the Department of Conservation and Heritage NZ may be affected. For information about consulting with potentially affected parties read An everyday guide: Consultation for resource consent applicants | Ministry for the Environment.

For breaches to district plan rules excluding subdivision.

Consent to subdivide land, including boundary adjustments.

Subdivision of land and land use consent as one activity.

Consent to discharge treated wastewater to land.

Change to or cancellation of conditions of a Resource Consent.

For confirmation an activity can be carried out without Resource Consent.

For activities which breach boundary rules where affected parties written approvals are provided.

Objection to a decision in accordance with s357 of the Resource Management Act.

Application to extend the lapse period of an existing approval.

Approval of survey plans for an approved subdivision.

224(c) certificate. Can include application for a 221 consent notice.

Stand-alone application for a consent notice under s221.